United have stolen a march on a potential City trophy celebration – by staging their title parade two days after the Blues compete in the FA Cup Final.

Sir Alex Ferguson and his players will parade their record-extending 20th league trophy on Monday, May 13.

In a break from tradition, the champions will take their open top bus out on the streets six days before the last league game of the season.

United’s street party will also come just two days after City, heavy favourites to lift the FA Cup, take on Wigan at Wembley. When City won the FA Cup in 2011, they paraded their silverware around Manchester 48 hours later on the following Monday.

United bosses were handed a series of potential dates for a parade and have opted for May 13. The Reds will be presented with the league trophy after their home match against Swansea the previous day. But the parade will be held six days before they play their last game of the season at West Brom.

Sir Alex will address crowds outside the East Stand at the start of the parade outside the stadium. The trophy will then head into Manchester although it will not take in the town hall.

The route is expected to end at Exchange Square.

A United source said: “The trophy presentation will take place shortly after the final whistle.

“The champions will then parade the trophy on an open top bus through the city on Monday 13th May. The parade will commence at Old Trafford in the early evening and finish in the city centre.”

Details of timings and the exact route of the parade have yet to be finalised.

A spokesman for Manchester council confirmed the date of the United parade today and said City had not yet held any discussions with the town hall about a celebration on May 13 or 'any other date' .

The Blues will have two remaining Premier League matches to play in the week after the cup final - away to Reading on Tuesday, May 14 and their last match at home to Norwich on Sunday, May 19 - so it is possible any parade would have to be the following week.